Internal policy document tells drivers to let students board even if they can't produce ID.

The TTC announced last week that it would stop issuing specialized photo ID for secondary school students. A new TTC ID policy issued to employees instructed drivers that if a rider couldn’t produce valid ID, to “allow them to continue their journey.”

Come September, junior high and high school students won’t have to show ID when they pay student fare. But if they’re asked for ID and can’t produce any, drivers and fare collectors will let them on anyway, according to an internal policy document obtained by the Star.

The TTC announced last week that it would stop issuing specialized photo ID for secondary school students, but a “new customer ID policy” issued to employees the same day, instructed drivers that if a rider couldn’t produce valid ID, to “allow them to continue their journey.”

“This will minimize delays to service and minimize assaults on TTC staff due to fare disputes,” says the corporate notice that becomes effective on Sept. 1.

Big changes are underway at the TTC with the Presto Card phase-in, a new LRT under construction and new streetcars ready to roll out. CEO Andy Byford has said this provides a good opportunity to modernize fare collection.

“It is still the responsibility of the Operator and Collector to ensure customers pay or have proof of payment for travel,” states the new ID policy. “However, they no longer need to be shown ID every time.”

While a driver or fare collector can ask for ID at any time if they suspect fraud, “they should only ask students to provide valid photo ID if they appear to be older than 19 years of age,” the policy states.

“Our operators are being instructed to advise customers of the required fare and request ID as appropriate,” wrote TTC spokesperson Brad Ross in an email to the Star. If a customer can’t produce ID, “we will not take a bus or streetcar out of service — TTC fare inspectors will enforce all fares as required.”

Forty transit officers currently patrol the entire TTC system to ensure safety and security, but they can also perform fare enforcement checks, Ross said. On Aug. 18, they’ll be joined by 18 members of the new dedicated fare inspection unit, who will be posted on the new streetcars and the stations they service.

These officers will be able to do spot checks and ask anyone paying student fare for school or government-issued ID. They’ll be able to issue fines between $200-$400 if no proof is forthcoming.

“Our enforcement staff will, first and foremost, be out there educating and informing customers of proper fare (what is POP and the need to prove your age if requested),” wrote Ross. “Fines are a last resort.”

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